With the announcement of the Rajya Sabha elections, the ruling NDA has expressed confidence of winning all five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar. NDA leaders believe that the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) may not even field a candidate in a bid to save face, claiming that several of its MLAs are in touch with the NDA.
With 202 MLAs in the 243-member Assembly, the NDA is comfortably placed to win four of the five seats. The alliance, however, will fall short by three MLAs for securing the fifth seat on its own.
JD (U) is likely to field candidates for two seats and the BJP for two, while the fifth seat may be allotted to an ally.
Earlier, Jitan Ram Manjhi had staked claim to the seat, but the BJP rejected his demand.
Subsequently, the names of Union Minister Chirag Paswan’s mother, Reena Paswan, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) president Upendra Kushwaha were doing the rounds. However, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) dismissed the speculation.
Late on Friday, Chirag Paswan denied rumours about his mother entering active politics or staking claim to a Rajya Sabha seat. Speaking to the media, he clarified that his mother is not joining politics and that his party is not seeking any Rajya Sabha berth.
With Reena Paswan’s name now out of contention, suspense continues over whether Upendra Kushwaha will get the opportunity.
Political analysts are closely watching the fifth seat, which is expected to shape the alliance’s strategy and its equations with allies.
Even as Kushwaha presses his claim for a Rajya Sabha seat, signs of internal discord within his party have begun to surface over alleged favoritism towards family members.
The absence of two key MLAs, Madhav Anand and Rameshwar Mahato, at the Rashtriya Lok Morcha’s foundation day celebration on Saturday has triggered political speculation.
Their absence raised eyebrows, with discussions suggesting that both legislators are upset over Kushwaha’s decision to elevate his son, Deepak Prakash, to a ministerial position. Observers believe that sidelining senior and loyal leaders while giving preference to family members has become a major source of dissatisfaction within the party.